See Patton Oswalt get caned by Johnny Knoxville on 'Drunk History'

History is always educational. Often, it’s inspirational. And sometimes, it’s just painful. This story about Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner falls into that third category.

In the mid-19th century, the ardent abolitionist was beaten with a cane on the Senate floor by South Carolina Representative Preston Brooks after Sumner dropped an epic anti-slavery speech, “The Crime Against Kansas.” In the speech, he personally blasted South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler, who happened to be a cousin of Brooks. The Charleston episode of Drunk History—which airs July 29 at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central—revisits this strange-but-true ungentlemanly tale, which is narrated by inebriated Drunk History co-executive producer Seth Weitberg and reenacted by two dudes you just might be familiar with. Johnny Knoxville displays a cane-do spirit as Brooks, while Patton Oswalt lends his thespian skills (and precious noggin) to the role of Sumner. Take a shot and check out a preview of the action in this exclusive clip: